GATX Corporation, founded 117 years ago in Chicago, is helping to bring awareness to another iconic Chicago institution, John G. Shedd Aquarium. With support from GATX's customer, Packaging Corporation of America ("PCA"), a boxcar was custom-designed to display various marine images and was unveiled at Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago on Oct. 13, 2015.
Union Pacific Railroad and Metra were also partners on the project, transporting and hosting the Shedd Aquarium boxcar at Ogilvie Transportation Center.
Brian A. Kenney, President and CEO of GATX, said, "Shedd Aquarium is the top-attended cultural institution in Chicago and a leader in animal care and welfare, conservation research and science education. We are pleased to help bring more national awareness to this treasured institution. GATX, in support of our communities and customers, continue to use our railcars in unique ways; the Shedd boxcar will complement our other charity cars like the Make-a-Wish, Ronald McDonald House, and Feeding America hopper cars."
"Since Shedd opened in 1930, the aquarium's mission has been to connect individuals to the living world and inspire them to make a difference, and transportation and accessibility have played a significant role in helping us share that message," said Ted A. Beattie, Shedd Aquarium President and CEO. "We are excited about this partnership with GATX and thanks to their help, we will continue to inspire communities across the nation."
This eye-catching boxcar presenting the message "Visit us in Chicago! Shedd Aquarium" will travel across the country transporting PCA's paper products. Bruce Ridley, Vice President, EH&S and Operations Services of PCA, said, "We are pleased to have the opportunity to route this boxcar across the country and bring attention to Shedd in such a unique way."
Shedd and GATX have a long history of working together on conservation initiatives. Over the last decade, GATX employees have volunteered with the Shedd to keep several Lake Michigan beaches clean. Since 2013, American Steamship Company ("ASC"), a subsidiary of GATX, has displayed both the ASC and Shedd logo along with the slogan "Working Together to Keep the Lakes Great" on one of its 1,000-foot vessels. ASC is actively involved in researching ways to stop the spread of non-native aquatic species on the Great Lakes. Shedd is committed to protecting the Great Lakes by conducting science and research through collaborative efforts with other Great Lakes organizations and leaders that develop solutions for tomorrow's conservation challenges, and offering immersive learning programs and outreach for all ages.